How tumors and the body interact
Tumor-Host Interactions Program
This program looks at how a person’s immune system and bodily environment influence cancer growth and treatment, and turns lab findings into possible therapies and clinical trials for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P30 center grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11317032 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers study both tumor-intrinsic factors and host (body) conditions that help cancers start, progress, or respond to treatment. They use lab models, animal studies, and early human trials to test approaches that target tumor–stroma interactions, immune cells, blood and lymph vessel changes, and hormonal effects. Examples include a new antibody that blocks multiple IL-1 family cytokines in preclinical models and work pointing to PD-L1 as a target in postpartum breast cancer. The program combines basic scientists, clinicians, and a manufacturing facility at the University of Colorado to move promising discoveries into trials patients can join.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with cancers linked to the program’s projects—such as inflammatory-type cancers or postpartum breast cancer—or patients eligible for trials testing therapies from this program.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are unrelated to the program’s targets or who do not meet trial eligibility criteria may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments or clinical trials that improve cancer control by targeting how tumors interact with the body.
How similar studies have performed: Immune-targeting treatments like PD-L1 inhibitors and some cytokine-blocking approaches have helped certain cancers, but many of the program’s specific targets and combinations remain experimental.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Degregori, James V — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Degregori, James V
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.